CSA: Philomath

Ok, not a crime or cop show about a small town in rural Benton County. But an idea that has been around for quite some time that I've learned about in the last year. CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture) are a farming concept wherein local farmers growing produce bring it to the local community and sell it.

This is amazing for so many reasons. Just read Jane Goodall's book Harvest for Hope. There's a link on the sidebar. You can also read about it on the internet, but the Goodall book is really great.

The grand idea is that produce doesn't have to be grown 2,000 miles away and then trucked in and then gassed or radiated or whatever all they do to it to make it pretend to ripen. The food is already in the local area fresh and ripe and not inspected by the border police. Imagine, if you will, how much does it really cost to bring "fresh" strawberries to the Northwest from Argentina in the middle of January? Seriously, how much gasoline and truck maintenance and toxic emissions and green house gasses and global warming do those $5 per pound strawberries actually cost in terms of the planet? We may think Wow, that's a lot for strawberries, but the actual cost of bringing that little basket of food is astronomical when you put it in terms of the globe and its effects. How much do you think the farmer who grew those berries or the field worker who picked those berries made off that little box when the company who brings it to us has to pay for the shipping costs alone, much less a profit! The money I spend doesn't go to helping out anyone except for those who can afford to buy the stock of the company that brings the product to my local grocery store. I would rather pay a little more (and not necessarily always more) for locally grown foods that when I hand the cash over to the farmer, personally, he spends the money right here in my community. Its a form of recycling, sort of.

Yes, we could have chosen a CSA that is closer even than Philomath. The one we chose (or at least that's the one we plan to join) uses organic growing and handling practices and provides the variety of produce we wanted. Its still closer than shipping things from Mexico or South America.

This is really quite simplified, but, my blog, my story.

This is what's going to be new for 2007.

My soap box, if that's what you wish to call it, for the day / year.

Werewolf Much?

We are coming up on the full moon. Oy!

Am I the only one affected by the lunar cycles? I hate to say this, but as I mature, become wiser, more sage as it were, ahem. (Sidebar: 'ahem' is my new favorite thing to write.) So, the full moon is on its way and I have been a lunatic lately. My Nickname has become "Luçatic" and "Lunarcinda". Enough said. I've been (more) cranky and irritable at the office and every single little thing at home makes me snap. One moment I'm just fine, the next I'm so angry at the tofu of all things and the next I'm crying because I ate a cookie and its not on my list of things to eat. This was all just last night. Poor Nick. He handles it like a trooper though. The sign of a good man.

Seriously, does this happen to you?

Mangrove Island or Croc Island as we like to call it

It was about 1 mile between the mangrove island (in the foreground) and the Placencia peninsula (background) where we stayed. We kayaked between one day in the pouring rain with white caps on the ocean. If memory serves, the ocean was warmer than the rain.

It was my first time kayaking so I was a little freaked out, white caps and all. We had a great time. And we kayaked again when the weather was sunny. So hot kayaking in the sun. We all got a little burned even with loads of sunscreen

Pictures are a little blurry because of water spots on the camera. We were using the dive camera with its housing to protect it (obviously) from the water and didn't have anything dry to clean the lense because we'd been snorkeling and in the kayaks. Oh well.

So, in the middle of the mangrove island you can see a small lagoon (which was actually the larger of two lagoons we checked out) that we found an inlet to, pulling ourselves (in our kayaks) at times through the mangrove roots. Bill and I were in a double kayak that day and had led the pack. When we got to the interior, the water was very shallow, just deep enough for the kayaks to float, like less than a foot deep (my guestimate). It was sultry with no wind, no current, tropical sun directly above us and completely quiet except for the occassional bird call and whisper of the water as the crocs arose and descended. So cool. Yes, we got to see with our own eyes, salt water crocodiles. Ok, they were like a couple feet in length and we only saw the eyes of a couple and the shadow of another as it slipped into the water from the mangrove roots where it had been sunning itself and then a couple more sets of eyes. But, cool nonetheless. Bill and I were the only ones to see the crocs. By the time the other two kayaks arrived (making quite a racket I might add - Bill and I had immediately upon entering the lagoon been absolutely as silent as possible) the crocs had hidden themselves in the shadows of the mangroves and were difficult to spot. It was wonderful. I needed a little mental respite after this week's exhaustiveness.

Just Read: In Cold Blood

Author: Truman Capote

The photo isn't the best, sometimes its hard to find good links and pics to go with them.

I saw Capote, the movie a while ago. It stuck with me. The story, the criminals, the writer, the setting, the crime. It wouldn't leave my mind completely as most movies do as soon as the credits have run. It kept coming back to me I figured it was time to read the book, because we all know books really tell more of the story than a movie can. So, in that light, the book found its way onto my "to read" list.

Its categorized by Random House as both True Crime and Literary Fiction. I don't know about literary fiction. Is that because Capote took license with his interveiws? Hmmm.

The book is gripping and frightening. Not in a Freddy Krueger kind of way, but in a I can't believe there are people out there like this, kind of way. The story of a family of four who are murdered in their own homes in the middle of the night. A family with no enemies and many friends. A family well loved by and supportive in the community in which they lived. Its the story of the two men who did this horrendous crime. I just can't really figure out, yet, what I feel about this. I do know it has had such an impact on me I'll carry with me, most likely, forever. The thought that it doesn't matter how caring for others and nice to animals and upstanding in the community and minding of your own business you are, if someone wants you dead, you most likely will be. That's a little extreme I know. There were circumstances, but still, nothing these people could really have done much differently to bring about a different outcome. They were just living their lives and the next thing you know, someone decided their lives were over to fulfill someone else's desires, or not in this case. The psychiatry behind these murderers and their lives and how they dealt with (or not) the circumstances they were given... its just difficult for me to pull the words from my head and heart.

Enlightenment

So I get this email, one of those forwarded things, you know the ones, we all get them and some times send them off to our friends because we think they are funny or cute or worthy in some way. Been there, done that, no big deal. I don't mind most of them because when you have friends you usually have similar tastes and things in common.

That said, I received this email, something to the effect of (I deleted it and then couldn't stop thinking about it so I don't have it around for reference) 'Enlightenment is knowing there is nothing to look forward to, nothing to do, nothing to think about other than being yourself right now.' That was it pretty close anyway, with maybe a little paraphrasing.

I didn't really pay that much attention to it at first. Oh, someone is forwarding me notes from the Dalai Lama, ok, I have other things I have to do. I thought about it more and more when the other people on the list of recipients responded with comments to the effect of - you go girl and yes, yes, yes that is not but the truth. Again, paraphrasing, but you get the general idea. I started thinking and became rather perturbed. Seriously folks, true enlightenment is not thinking about the future? All you are is who you are right now? Don't get me wrong, I believe what we really have in life is right now, but the future should be planned for. The future should be thought of and we should be acting today to prepare for whatever tomorrow brings. So, we're not supposed to have a savings account (no matter how small it may be for someone of my age...ahem...) we're not supposed to eat healthily and take our calcium so as to avoid health issues later on in life, we're not supposed to consider the consequences of our actions because the consequences may be in the future and the future may not get here?

I may not have a 3,000 square foot house a yacht and a summer home in Athens, but my planning yesterday made my today possible. Where and who would I be today if I hadn't considered tomorrow, yesterday? If I hadn't thought about what I wanted my life and my person to be yesterday, I could be a crack addict, living on the street, accosting passersby for loose change. Its not just a monetary thing, its a life choice and that includes who I am as a person. Who I was as a person yesterday, forms me into who I am today and tomorrow.

I realize I'm probably going way overboard with this thought and blowing it way out of proportion. I realize the author may have only meant that we should live life to the fullest because you could step off a curb and get hit by a cross town bus tomorrow (or some other equally as unanticipated a fate). But to say that is the essence of truly being enlightened? Seems the thought could have been conveyed without attaching it to what is probably one of the highest dreams of Buddists and Yogis everywhere.

And that was Tuesday

Build a fire, work out, garbage day, vegan bologna (it was my first time trying it and it was actually not bad as far as vegan meat substitute goes) sandwich with mustard and Gilmore Girls. Blurry photos, cause the mr. has changed some camera settings and I'm too lazy to read the manual to figure out how to fix it! Oy.

Strange that what feels like a warm and cozy little home to me just looks small and unimpressive on film. Thank goodness I'm a less is more type of person or I'd have a complex after seeing these pics. Does it mean I have a complex since I'm writing about it that I don't think I have, but maybe do?

Creamy Tomato Veggie Soup

It may not (or it may) sound that great, but this soup is amazing. It was a collaberation with Nick . We eat quite a bit of Imagine brand foods. The onese we choose are organic, non-dairy, super versatile and taste fantastic. Their Organic Creamy Tomato Soup is the base for what we had for dinner last night and subsequently will be having for lunch today. So yummy. Oh, this all started, sort of, because we are trying to eat more kale. Well, any kale would be more kale since I never really have eaten it. Its not as bad as it sounds, at least so far as we've incorporated it into the foods we prepare. Anyway...the amounts are all guestimated. Use the amounts you want according to what you have in the fridge or what you like to eat. We didn't put any in, but I think kidney beans would also be a fantastic addition.

I'm having some issues with the camera, hence the blurriness. Sorry about the crappy photo.

Creamy Tomato Veggie Soup Saute lightly: « 2 T Olive Oil « 2 cloves garlic minced « 2 tsp fresh ginger minced « 1/2 onion, chopped « red pepper flakes to taste Add ~ then warm up to almost a boil: « One box Imagine Organic Creamy Tomato Soup « 2 cups Imagine Organic broth of choice (I think we used chicken)

« 3-4 Tbsp tomato paste Add veggies and spices: « kale, chopped « cabbage, chopped « celery, chopped « zuccini, sliced « fresh cilantro, chopped « fresh parsley, chopped « 2 tsp dried thyme Simmer over medium to low heat until the veggies are the firmness/crispness you prefer. We like ours a little on the crisp side so as to keep as many of the nutrients and vitamins alive as possible. S&P to taste Its a really pretty and tasty meal.

Canon Powershot A710IS

I think I need a new camera.

What do you have?

Here's what I think I want.

Your thoughts?

Real Snow Day

We are having a real snow day today. Yes, I'm still going to work, but nonetheless, snow folks! I love the snow. Practically everything about it, cold, white, wet, beautiful, flaky, quiet, calming and it provides an endless array of outdoor activities that you just can't enjoy without it. To name just a few snowshoeing, skiing, sledding, snow angels and snow men and snow ball fights. (I mean let's face it people, you can't just go outside and make mudballs and have a fight. It just wouldn't be considered 'fun' or light hearted to pelt someone with a mudball, but a snowball, that's just fun no matter how you slice it.) Just about everyone has a wonderful memory of a snow day from their past. A special time when the world went white and there was maybe no school because of it. You sit and listen to the radio for the school closures with amazing anticipation and then you hear it, your school is closed for the day. You played all day outside in the snow, even by your self its loads of fun but there's always kids around, with a runny nose and cold fingers and toes and then you go into the house where its warm and cozy and maybe there's hot cocoa waiting for you and a grilled cheese sandwich and a snuggly sofa and blanky to curl up in. Its those days, or similar days if snow didn't come to your part of the planet, that can make you stare out the window as an adult, watching the snow come down and you know peacefulness can exist even in the face of deadlines and financial statements. You know mother earth will have her way. She'll force you to slow down to take a look around and remember life doesn't have to be a blur every day. Sometimes its ok to sprawl on the ground waving your arms and legs knowing that an angel will be the result.

Happiness is no more influenza

Yep, had the flu this week. I don't recommend it. It takes you out by the knees, lays you flat then walks all over you with golf spikes. Just when you think you're feeling a litte better, it comes back and slaps you across the face for good measure. Well, that's been my experience anyway. I blame the ever more virulent flu strain on mass production of over the counter antibacterial products combined with scare tactic marketing, but, that's just one girl's opinion.

On my list of things to accomplish this year (notice, not a resolution) is to buy a decent yet inexpensive pocket type digital camera. I love my film camera, but, lets face it, its antiquated and cumbersome. (Read, I'm lazy.) The boy has an incredible digital, but its his and I don't really want to have something bad happen to it on my watch and its just more camera than I care to read about. I want more of a point an shoot that fits into my purse or pocket so I can snap away with scary abandon. Trouble is, most of my wants cost dollars and I am short on dollars post Belize. Hence me not running out and making a purchase today but rather waiting until the time is right.

That's all with me. Pretty uneventful and unexciting and downright boring. The upshot is, after being sick and at home with the television and being bored beyond my wildest dreams, I am glad to be back at work. Maybe the flu is exactly what I needed.

Ok, here's two of my favorite pics from the Belize trip. I didn't carry a camera so very few of the pics from the trip are mine. These taken by my buddy Aaron at the Mayan ruins Xunantunich. Really fun.

This pic makes me feel like an archeologist traipsing through the Centeral American jungles in search of something elusive and historic. I turn a corner and this amazing glimpse into the past crowds out all other thought and I forget to breathe for just the merest of moments.

Snow Day

The only city in N.A. that can have a skiff (and a lot less in most areas) of snow and have the school districts call it a snow day. I'm at work though. Dedication, that's all you need to know.

the long haul ~ edition XI

i proceeded to wreck my brother's motorcycle approximately 15 minutes after this photo was taken. he is the best, i've learned a lot from him. if only i could remember it all.

things don't always turn out like we'd like or like we planned or like we thought at all. when life hands you lemons, make a gin and tonic. i actually prefer lime but, you get my point.

so, when things don't go my way, i'll pout a little while, whine a little longer, then i'll pull myself up by my boot straps and see what i can make of the mess i've gotten myself into. it usually takes several phone calls to my bestest friend teresa in which i whine, pout, curse and sometimes cry (yes, i'm a girl) to come to the solution or the bandaid, whichever works. she always knows what to say and how to say it in a way that makes me get what is going on with me. anyway...digression, for the most part, averted...

so what if none of my "resolutions" turned out like i wanted. big deal! i don't usually make them anyway. what makes this year different? well, nothing. i'll begin anew with today and do my best at whatever that day or week brings. some days i'll fall on my face and some days i'll succeed. i hope 2007 has an abundance of the good and only a small pile of the bad.

in that light, i will overcome the ugly and move into the wonderful world that does exist, if only we open our eyes and our hearts to it. it is there, its just a matter of searching for the kernel of beauty and seeing it for what it is.

wish me luck. and much luck to you also.

Just Read: The Last Dive

Author: Bernie Chowdhury

The Last Dive by Bernie Chowdhury. A sequel, or more rather a follow up, if you will, to Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson. I read Shadow Divers a couple years ago and was captivated. It is the non-fiction story of a German U-Boat accidentally found by two men and their search for its identity. Very interesting story with deep dives, mystery and history. I absolutely recommend that book. Everyone I've given it to has liked it. So anyway...

I was then lead to The Last Dive, the story of a man and his son and their last dive. Not because they decided to take up ping-pong instead, but because their last dive proved fatal. The book is also about the author's journey, an equally interesting story. Now, these divers weren't your typical warm water resort type divers. They were technical cave and wreck divers. They went places and to depths I would not dream of going (fear and very cold water involved). The author tells a lot about the history of what is now termed technical diving, about his own experiences (amazing and frightening) diving and gives a peak into a specific splinter group of divers who push the limits because their personalities won't let them stay within the realms of the average person. People who want to see things and go places that literally no man has gone before. On one hand, I can understand the inquisitive nature, on the other hand I don't understand the machismo that drives these people to take the risks they take.

The book is a sad one, well because two of the main characters die (this isn't a secret that I've given away, its written on the book jacket). But, the book is also a character study of a certain sect of the population. Not just divers, but people who take incredible risks like some people take aspirin. That can include mountain climbers, race car drivers, bronc riders, etc. Why do they find it necessary to push the limit while others (aka me) find it quite comforting to be safe and warm in my cozy world?

If you like non-fiction, check out this book. I don't think you'll be disappointed. I do, however, recommend reading Shadow Divers first. It will make the most sense that way. Oh, and they are so interesting they make for quick reads.

Feeling like a failure much?

Why do I set myself up for it? Hence me not usually making New Year's resolutions. I never keep them and I do not like the way I feel when I fail. Especially when its failing at silly stuff like resolutions.

I was well on my way to being in control, or whatever you wish to call it, when I came down with something unpleasant. It took me out for two days, I felt (and still do a little) crappy and horrible. So the first day, I decided that since I felt like crap, going without sugar and trying to be all alkaline etc was just going to have to be put off for a day. No problems, I mean its still just Jan 2. The resolutions just got off to a slow start. Then yesterday, I had my will power all geared up and in motion. I spent the day, surprisingly, very happy with the no sugar / alkaline thing. Until dinner, and my wonderful boyfriend, that is. I'm all having some inner turmoil with the wanting of carbs and sugar but putting on a brave face and making it work when the boyfriend says, well, Why? My resolve went up in a poof of smoke. It didn't even have a fighting chance.

So, I sit here today, feeling like crapola and its Jan 4 and I've not stuck with one resolution. No resolutions!!! Can I say that loud enough? I know it sounds like a cop-out. Its not. Its how I have to live. Just take one day at a time and figure it out without the pressure of failure in the face of unavoidable obstacles.

I suck!